St. Joseph
Michigan

What stands out

Three things set St. Joseph County apart from the other 3,142 counties: winter sunshine is in the bottom 7% of American counties (-1.4 on the USDA scale) and the school test score is in the bottom 14% of American counties (2.65 where 3.0 is grade level). Within Michigan it ranks 38th of 83 counties for winter sunshine, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in St. Joseph County, Michigan. 60,887 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +137).

Michigan has a flat income tax just over 4% and has never taxed Social Security. It restored a broad exemption for pension and retirement income in 2023, phasing in over four years. Home prices are below the national average nearly everywhere except the lakeshore counties and the Ann Arbor area. Detroit's population is growing again for the first time since the 1950s.

Money

The typical household here brings in $62,281 a year, higher than 55% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $53,550. Unemployment runs 4.3%, higher than 76% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 20 minutes each way.

Michigan takes 4.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,647 a year.

Home

The median home costs $219K, cheaper than 56% of American counties, about 2.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $805 a month. Property tax is 1.15% of home value, roughly $1,759 a year on that median home, higher than 70% of American counties. 75% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.0 per 1,000 residents, higher than 55% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 23 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 75.2 years, shorter than 58% of American counties. There are 33 active physicians in the county, about 5.4 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 9.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.75 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 86% of American counties. 87% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 33 points. 63% of eligible voters turned out. Under Michigan law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 50°F, highs near 60 and lows near 40, colder than 75% of American counties. About 35 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 49 out of 100, safer than 51% of American counties; the county has had 8 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 234 Mbps down, faster than 66% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries.